Euro 2024 qualifying - Scotland on the cusp of Euro 2024 qualification after sweeping aside Cyprus in Larnaca
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 08/09/2023 at 21:23 GMT
It was a hugely impressive performance from a dominant Scotland side in their Euro 2024 qualifying encounter with Cyprus in Larnaca on Friday evening. Steve Clarke’s side got off to a superb start with a very early goal through Scott McTominay, and quite simply, they did not look back from that moment on as they went on to secure a very comfortable victory away from home.
Scotland's Scott mcTominay celebrates after making it 1-0 during a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier between Cyprus and Scotland at the AEK Arena, on September 08, 2023, in Larnaca, Cyprus
Image credit: Getty Images
Scotland ensured that they were on the cusp of Euro 2024 qualification after sweeping aside Cyprus 3-0 in Larnaca with a fine team display.
Steve Clarke’s side got off to a dream start in Cyprus, taking the lead after just six minutes through Scott McTominay. Andy Robertson whipped in a good cross which John McGinn was able to divert to the back post, and McTominay was on hand to head home from close range.
Scotland, who had scored nine goals in just four matches prior to this match, were at it again just 11 minutes later. This time, Ryan Porteous was able to volley home from close range to give Scotland a two-goal cushion.
Cyprus tried to push forward, attempting to get the ball from back to front as quickly as possible to catch Scotland out, but it was to no avail.
McGinn made it 3-0 after half an hour with the best goal of the night. Scotland moved the ball brilliantly in the build up, before McTominay found McGinn, who opened his body up and swept home Scotland’s third.
Scotland managed the game well in the second half, moving the ball about and making Cyprus work.
McTominay came within inches of grabbing what would have been his second of the night and seventh goal in qualifying 15 minutes from time, but his curling effort from distance crashed off the post.
Scotland have held up their end of the bargain tonight, knowing that if Norway and Georgia draw on Tuesday, Clarke’s side will have officially qualified for Euro 2024.
TALKING POINT - THE TARTAN RECORD BREAKERS
Steve Clarke’s side continued their magnificent Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory tonight. It is the first time in Scotland’s history that they have won their opening five matches in Euro qualifying and their win tonight means they have won all of their last eight matches across all competitions.
Scotland with the ball have been fluid, free-flowing and delightful to watch during this qualifying campaign and without the ball, Clarke’s side work hard, with the likes of McGinn and McTominay tenaciously hustling across the pitch to win the ball back. Scotland aren’t officially qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany yet but with five wins from five and 15 points on the board, you feel it won’t be long before their qualification is made official.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - SCOTT MCTOMINAY (SCOTLAND)
Another Scotland win in qualifying, another fantastic performance from Scott McTominay. The Manchester United midfielder isn’t seeing many minutes for his club this season but he’s been sensational whenever he's pulled on a Scotland shirt this year. He opened the scoring after just six minutes, meaning he’s now scored six goals in five Euro qualifying matches.
His passing was fantastic, completing 25 of his 28 passes, won six duels, provided an assist for McGinn and was unlucky to not score a second goal when he struck the post in the second half. Another accomplished performance from the 26-year-old.
PLAYER RATINGS
Cyprus: Mall 5, Karo 6, Laifis 6, Roberge 6, Antoniou 6, Kyriakou 6, Kousoulos 6, Charalampous 6, Correia 6, Kastanos 7, Sotiriou 6 Subs: Ioannou 6, Pittas 6, Andreou 6, Gogic 6, Kakoullis 6
Scotland: Gunn 7, Tierney 7, Hendry 7, Porteous 8, Hickey 7, Gilmour 7, McGregor 7, Robertson 8, McGinn 8, McTominay 9, Adams 7 Subs: McLean 6, Dykes 6, Armstrong 6, Patterson 6, Christie N/A
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
6’ GOAL – SCOTLAND - Scotland have taken an early lead! It's that man Scott McTominay again, his sixth goal in qualifying! Andrew Robertson whips in a cross which John McGinn knocks on and McTominay is there at the back post to head home.
14’ NOT FAR WIDE FROM KASTANOS! - Grigoris Kastanos tries his luck once more and this time his effort is not far wide of the near post. A good effort that had Gunn scrambling.
17’ GOAL – SCOTLAND - Scotland have a second! Ryan Porteous has made it 2-0 after 16 minutes and this match already looks over as a contest.
30’ GOAL – SCOTLAND - John McGinn has made it three and what a goal it was! The ball is fed into McGinn who opens his body up before firing it past Joel Mall. What a performance from Scotland this is.
74’ MCTOMINAY DENIED BY THE POST! - Scott McTominay curls a brilliant effort towards goal which strikes the post to deny him a second of the match!
KEY STAT
Scott McTominay is now the joint-top scorer in Euro 2024 qualifying with six goals.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article